Comments on: Grand Jury Releases “Tower of Shame” Report on Tulare Regional Medical Center

By: State Committee Approves Audit of Tulare Hospital Bond - GV Wire

State Committee Approves Audit of Tulare Hospital Bond - GV Wire — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 23:46:03 +0000

[…] to the Tulare County Grand Jury report disseminated in March 2016 and titled “Tower of Shame,” around 700 change orders were ordered […]

By: JH

JH — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 01:45:49 +0000

What concerns me are two things: 1) first I am told the money is needed to bring the tower to completion; then I read the ballot description and I see “projects.” This concerns me as it could potentially mean we see other projects funded, such as the seismic compliance and the tower remains unfinished, requiring yet another bond. 2) Nationalized health insurance, the exchanges and the methods of reimbursement have had a huge negative impact on many of the hospitals that have closed. While we might pass the bond, we might still see the hospital closed as the nationwide consolidation of facilities continues. 3) There have been statements by the Yes on I camp that there have been four audits demonstrating all funds were used on the hospital construction. I had heard the original cost projections exceeded 1 million; who is determining the costs now and specifically what are the “projects” funded by the $55 mil?

By: Dwight C.

Dwight C. — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 20:13:21 +0000

After reading the “Fiction vs Fact” flier recently mailed out by the hospital, I feel the need to comment on a couple of “facts”. The hospital in Kingsburg was about to join with Adventist Health when TRMC offered more money up front than Adventist offered. Kingsburg then backed out of the deal with Adventist in lieu of the better looking deal with TRMC. Once TRMC saw how much it would cost to bring the Kingsburg hospital up to code, TRMC backed out of the deal and left Kingsburg high and dry… they forgot to mention that.

Colusa Regional Medical was in finalizing a deal to join a large hospital chain. Within days of signing the contract, Colusa decided to back out of the deal causing the loss of jobs.

By: Dwight C.

Dwight C. — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 20:01:48 +0000

This is obviously an emotionally charged subject. Nobody wants to see our hospital close. However, whether we read about it in this news paper, Fresno Bee, or any other, the Grand Jury’s report is objective and contains facts.

I do not blame any CEO or the farce conglomerate HCCA, for the state of the hospital. The history of pathologically bad business decisions lies with the hospital board.

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 03:25:30 +0000

There must have been an audit durning investigation of funds???

By: AH

AH — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 06:43:20 +0000

This news paper is a joke!!!

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 00:28:09 +0000

In reply to Rick Elkins.

Because there is no LOGICAL explanation for the amount. No one independent from the board or management has done a study to estimate the cost to complete. The taxpayers who are being asked to pay are not being represented.

By: Rick Elkins

Rick Elkins — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 19:57:48 +0000

Deanne is right on. We debated asking for more in the bond, but at $85 million it was already at the high end of what the consultant said we could pass. It is the still the most money passed by voters in this county. The project began at $105 million and we knew it would be tight. CEO Bob Montion felt the hospital should put up some money and that not all should come from the taxpayers, thus the $20 million commitment from the hospital. We also knew if we came up just short, we could shell the upper floor until money became available. More than $17 million in changes — including the helicopter pad which is a waste of money since it will only be used to send patients out — is what is to blame for the shortfall along with other mistakes, and it is the board which approved all those changes to get us where we are today. I see where some people said it was always a $120 million project, and even if that was the case, why is the hospital asking for $140 million now. Still have not seen that explained.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 04:38:48 +0000

DA won’t touch it. Too many fund raisers for him !

By: Al Silva

Al Silva — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 17:55:32 +0000

Vote NO on next bond. The Tulare County DA should prosecute this case.